Nora's POV:-

The moment I pulled away from him, whispers erupted around us like wildfire.

"How dare she kiss my love?"

"Wow, she really has the guts to do that!"

"I wonder if she’ll still be alive tomorrow."

"What a shameless slut."

I turned slowly, heart pounding. A group of girls stood glaring at me, their expressions twisted with jealousy and hate. Meanwhile, the boys stared at me with wide eyes—some amused, some shocked, some looking genuinely concerned.

I was about to walk away from the chaos, trying to hold on to what little pride I had left, when I felt a hand wrap around my wrist. Warm. Strong. Familiar.

I didn’t have to look. I already knew.

Ryan.

He pulled me around to face him, tugging me close—so close that the space between us vanished, leaving barely a few inches of air. My cheeks, already warm from the kiss, turned crimson from the intensity in his eyes.

“Just because it’s your birthday, doesn’t mean you can go around kissing everyone,” he growled lowly, his voice laced with irritation.

Everyone?

Wait… Did he just say everyone?

Before I could even process it, he continued, eyes locked on mine.

“Since it’s your birthday, I’ll let it slide.”
“But don’t make a habit out of it.”

With that, he released my wrist and walked away, leaving me standing there—speechless, burning with embarrassment, and thoroughly stunned.

What just happened?

The murmurs behind me grew louder, but I couldn’t care less. At that moment, all I wanted was to disappear, to go home, bury my head under a pillow, and pretend this day never happened.

And right there, I made a vow to myself.

From this moment forward, I would do everything in my power to avoid Ryan Knights.

***

One Week Later

A whole week had passed since that kiss—and that infuriating, confusing encounter with Ryan. Thankfully, I’d managed to avoid him entirely. No awkward run-ins. No more heart-pounding moments. Just peace.

Until...

“Hey, look out!” Chris shouted across the school field.

Too late.

The baseball smacked me hard on the side of the head, knocking me off balance. I stumbled and fell flat onto the grass.

Pain throbbed at my temple.

Perfect. Just perfect.

Harry and Sarah rushed toward me, their faces a mix of worry and panic.

“Nora, are you okay?” Sarah asked, kneeling beside me.

“How can she be okay?” Harry muttered. “She just got nailed by a baseball!”

He leaned in dramatically, eyes squinting. “Nora? What’s your name? Do you know who the president is? What’s your nationality?”

“Will you both stop?” I groaned, half annoyed, half amused.

And then—of course—he showed up.

Ryan.

He walked across the field with slow, purposeful steps, eyes locked onto mine. My heart jumped even though I hated myself for it.

He looked stupidly good in his baseball jersey, and judging by the silence that fell over the group, I wasn’t the only one who noticed.

Was he coming to help me?

Oh my god. Was Ryan Knights actually about to help me up?

But no.

He stopped next to me, bent down, picked up the ball… and walked away.

Just like that.

“My gosh,” Ava said, mouth hanging open.

“That rude punk!” Harry growled. “He just walked right past you like you were invisible!”

“He could’ve at least asked if you were okay!” Sarah yelled after him.

They helped me sit up, brushing the dirt off my clothes.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Sarah asked again.

I nodded. “Yeah. I’m fine. Just... humiliated beyond words.”

And from that moment on, my already intense dislike for Ryan Knights multiplied by a thousand.

***

Later That Weekend

I stomped my foot on the pavement, glaring at Sarah as we stood in front of the gaudiest fortune teller tent I’d ever seen.

“I really don’t want to go in there,” I huffed, trying my best puppy-dog eyes.

No use. She was determined.

“Sarah, how can someone as smart as you believe in this stuff?”

“Because she’s the best fortune teller in town,” she replied, practically buzzing with excitement. “Besides, don’t you want to know your love life?”

“Nope. I’m happy right here in the present,” I said, turning to walk away.

But she grabbed my elbow and dragged me inside.

The tent smelled like incense and mystery. The walls were lined with velvet and beads. And in the middle sat an old woman with kind but calculating eyes.

“What can I do for you pretty girls?” she asked as we sat down.

“We want to know about our love lives,” Sarah said, cheeks turning pink.

“Only hers,” I interjected quickly.

“Ignore her. We want to know about both of us,” Sarah corrected firmly.

The old woman smiled and turned to me.

“Let’s start with you. Show me your left hand.”

Reluctantly, I held it out. She studied it carefully, silently, for what felt like forever. Then, a sly smirk curved her lips.

“Your love life is about to begin…”

She paused, then added with a wink:

“Or maybe it already has.”

Sarah gasped beside me.

“Wait, what am I missing?” she whispered.

“What do you mean?” I asked the old woman.

“Brace yourself, dear. He’s going to steal your heart as if it was never yours. You’ll fall for him faster than you can imagine.”

Sarah squealed and flung her arms around me. “Looks like I’m going to have a brother-in-law!”

“You’re ridiculous,” I mumbled, but my heart was racing. Part of me wanted to laugh it off. The other part… wanted to believe it.

Then the fortune teller turned to Sarah.

“Now you, child.”

Sarah eagerly offered her hand.

But as the woman examined it, her smile began to fade. Her brows furrowed. A silence fell.

“Show me yours again,” she said to me.

I held it out. She stared at both of our palms like she was piecing together a puzzle she didn’t like.

“What’s wrong?” Sarah asked, suddenly nervous.

The old woman sighed deeply.

“A difficult test is approaching—for both of you.”

My heart dropped.

“What kind of test?” I asked.

She looked at us gravely.

“A test of your friendship. You’ll be forced to choose between your best friend… and your lover.”

Sarah’s face went pale. Her body stiffened beside me.

I stood up quickly and placed some money on the table.

“Come on, Sarah. Let’s go.”

We turned to leave, but just as we reached the entrance, the old woman muttered under her breath:

“I see the beginning… of a love triangle.”

I froze.

So did Sarah.

Neither of us said a word as we walked out of the tent—hearts heavy, minds spinning.

***

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